Author's Note: sorry for the delay with this chapter. Hopefully I can update more frequently for the rest of the summer. Not to beg for reviews or anything, but they certainly motivate me to write more quickly. Enjoy!
Darcy left his wife's chambers and dashed down to the foyer to find Charles. When he arrived at the bottom of the stairs, he found his friend waiting in the entrance hall.
"Bingley," he called from across the room.
"Darcy, how are you? How is Elizabeth?" Charles asked, his voice filled with concern.
"There has been no change to her condition. I am fine. It is Elizabeth we need to worry about."
"What a terrible accident. Jane is so torn up."
"Charles, I regret to inform you that it wasn't an accident," he said, his voice grave.
"What do you mean?"
"Elizabeth did not fall. She was pushed. In a fit of rage, Mrs. Wickham pushed her into the piano and she hit her head."
"Lord! What has been done about it?"
"Mrs. Wickham has been escorted from the home. She is on her way home, to her parents. Her trunks should be leaving shortly, along with a note for her father."
"I cannot believe she would to such a thing, and to her own sister! How terrible!"
"I fear I have more terrible news."
"Tell me quickly," Bingley winced.
"Mrs. Wickham did not act alone."
"She had an accomplice here at Pemberley?"
"Your sister, in fact."
"What? Caroline? I cannot believe she would do such a thing."
"Mrs. Wickham revealed it to me. Your sister was not in the room when it happened, but she did help cover up the incident."
"Goodness no."
"I did not wish to deal with Caroline without speaking directly with you. She is your sister and your charge and it is your duty to do what you feel is the best. I would have her thrown from the house, but I would never do so without asking you."
"This is so much to process. I cannot believe Caroline would do such a thing. I knew she was jealous and petty but I had no idea how bad things had gotten."
"Something must be done."
"I agree. I shall talk to her at once. I have let a lot slide, but I can do so no longer. Jane has been frustrated with my sister as well, though she will not admit it. She acts like hostess, ignoring Jane. I knew that there was something going on, but I did not wish to deal with it. I feel terribly. I cannot believe such a thing has happened. Where is my sister? I will deal with this right now. Where is she?"
"She must be in her chambers. I have not seen her."
"Do you wish to come with me?"
"Do you want me to come with you?" Darcy quirked an eyebrow.
"I think that I can do it."
"Very well, let me know if you need anything. I am going to return to my wife's bedside."
Charles nodded and started up the stairs to his sister's room. Darcy followed behind him but turned the other direction down the hallway to his chambers. He took a deep breath before knocking on the door to his sister's chambers. He had never stood up to her before. He had always humored his older sister, even when he disagreed with her. She had gotten so used to bossing him around during their childhood, that the dynamic had not changed, even after he had inherited. Caroline was difficult; she always had been.
"Oh hello, Charles," she said once she saw him enter. She was sprawled out on the chaise lounge in her room with a glass of wine. It was very early in the day for her to be drinking but he said nothing. He was surprised to see her up at such an early hour. Caroline normally slept passed breakfast. "You are back early."
"Jane and I returned as soon as we heard what had happened," he clenched his jaw. He did not want to confront his sister. He hated confrontation, but this could not be avoided.
"Terrible, how terrible. I know that Jane, sweet Jane, would want to be with her sister as soon as the accident happened. Too bad you had to put off viewing the estate."
He took a deep breath, "you see, Caroline, I know that what happened to Elizabeth was not an accident."
She rose from her seat and looked at him intensely for a moment, "I have no idea what you are talking about."
"You have a very good idea of what I am talking about."
"I confess I do not. Charles, where did you get such an outrageous idea?"
"Mrs. Wickham confessed her involvement in the incident."
"And what makes you think I had anything to do with what happened?"
"Well, Caroline, Mrs. Wickham revealed your involvement."
She froze and realized there was no getting out of what she had done. She paused for a moment, "then you know that I was only involved with the cover-up. The deed had been done by the time I got involved."
"Do you think that changes anything? " he said beginning to raise his voice. He rarely did so, but he was particularly angry. "I know you may not like Elizabeth, but she is my sister after all. Her unborn child is our family. She is Darcy's wife. She is Jane's sister. She is family."
"So am I," she huffed.
"Yes," he said looking down, "you are. But, Caroline, that doesn't change anything. You have to learn that your actions have consequences. I do not know what you come here to do, but I know it was not to befriend Elizabeth. Look, I know you always planned on being mistress of this house, but that didn't happen. You need to move on."
"And what are you going to do about this?" she said, turning her nose up. Charles had never done so much as raise his voice to her in the past. He was the most amiable gentleman she knew. He did not have it in him to be cruel or even firm.
"Well," he started. He had come in prepared for a fight. He knew Caroline would not go easily, "first, you are going to write to apologize to Darcy for your involvement. Then, you are packing your trunks and heading to stay with Louisa. I will write to her explaining the situation. And, Caroline, you are getting old, so perhaps you should try and get yourself settled this season. It will be some time before you will be allowed to stay with me and Jane, so I hope you can be settled in your own home so you won't be such a burden on Louisa and I." He knew he had taken it further than he needed to, but he realized it would be the only thing that might work.
"Charles!" she screamed her face reddening, "you cannot speak to me that way. I am your older sister. You do not speak to me that way."
"I am sorry, Caroline. I truly am. I should have said something earlier instead of letting you continue down a destructive path. I do not wish to cut you out of my life, but you have done something terrible."
She stomped her foot like a petulant child, "No! Charles, you are being unreasonable!"
"Quite the contrary, I am being very reasonable. Darcy would have spoken to you and we both know that would not have turned out as well for you. You are lucky I am letting you leave with your dignity. Mrs. Wickham was escorted out. I am allowing you to leave."
She looked down and said nothing. "Very well. Leave me to ready myself for travel. I shall leave within the hour."
Charles nodded and left the room. Once he was in the hall, he took a deep breath. It had gone better than expected with his sister. He was used to her anger. He was used to her silent treatment and venomous looks and her manipulation. He had not expected her to leave with so little of a fight. He was relieved.
He continued down the hallway to his sister-in-law's chambers. He planned to check on Jane before changing out of his traveling clothes and comforting his friend. He knocked lightly before he entered the room.
Darcy and Jane were standing on either side of the bed, each holding one of Elizabeth's hands.
"Charles," Jane said, seeing him enter, "I have wonderful news. Lizzy is starting to stir. If this continues, she may wake within a few hours."
"Wonderful news," he said pressing a kiss to her temple. He turned to face Darcy, "I have good news of my own. Caroline will be departing shortly. I have taken care of it."
"Good," Darcy nodded, not looking up from his wife. Darcy then looked up at Jane, "I believe Doctor Perry will be here shortly. Hopefully he can tell us when Lizzy will wake. "
"I hope so," Jane said softly.
"It will not be long now," Darcy said, "I can feel it."